DE102007033410B4 - Intercooler and internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

Intercooler for an internal combustion engine (44) mit- a base body (12) having at least one axial through-flow of a medium passage (14), wherein the at least one axial passage (14) having an outer peripheral side of the base body (12) arranged opening (18) communicates, wherein the opening (18) of the medium in a passage direction (20) can be flowed through, which is different from an orientation (16) of the at least one axial passage (14), characterized in that the base body (12) is formed in a substantially spiral shape in cross-section, wherein the at least one axial passage (14) and the outer peripheral side opening (18) through the base body (12) are formed, wherein the at least one axial passage (14) substantially centrally in the base body (12 ), wherein the in cross-section substantially spiral-shaped base body (12) at least two spirally formed, parallel Chambers (24, 26), and wherein one of the at least two parallel chambers (24) in the operation of the intercooler (10) is flowed through by compressed combustion air.

Description

The present invention relates to a charge air cooler for an internal combustion engine having a base body which has at least one axial passage through which a medium can flow. Furthermore, the invention relates to an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder head and at least two cylinders arranged in the V position.

The DE 32 00 683 A1 describes a heat exchanger for cooling or preheating of a supercharged internal combustion engine to be supplied combustion air. The heat exchanger can in this case be designed as a circular cylindrical divider heat exchanger, in which concentric, axial passages through which the heat exchanger flows during operation of the compressed combustion air. The concentric axial passages are each surrounded by circular cylindrical chambers containing a working medium for cooling or preheating the combustion air.

In addition, box-shaped and axially permeable charge air coolers are known from the prior art, by means of which the compressed combustion air can be cooled before flowing into an inlet of a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

Regularly, however, it proves difficult to arrange known from the prior art intercooler space-saving on an engine block of the internal combustion engine.

The WO 2007/031 637 A1 describes a charge air cooler, which is arranged on an engine with two arranged in V-position cylinder banks between the two cylinder banks. The charge air cooler includes an inlet for compressed supply air which is bounded on its sides by two radiators cooled by a coolant. At the top, the inlet is bounded by a hat-profile wall and at the bottom by a partition wall which separates the inlet from an inlet for recirculated exhaust gas. Between the respective radiator and the respective wall of a cylinder bank are intake chambers of the V-engine. The cooled, compressed supply air thus leaves the inlet perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the V-engine and thus perpendicular to the orientation of the inlet.

The DE 1 066 995 A describes a gas cooler with spirally arranged guide channels. The gas to be cooled is introduced through a centrally arranged gas inlet into the cooler and exits through a gas outlet again. A coolant enters through a coolant inlet into a cooling space which consists of a guide channel surrounding the outermost turn of the guide channels and which adjoins the outermost guide channel of the cooler with a common partition wall.

The US 2004/0206340 A1 describes an intercooler for an internal combustion engine in which charge air enters an intake manifold through an inlet port. The charge air passes in the radial direction through a radiator, which is formed by a base body with a central opening and with a plurality of spaced-apart tubes. The tubes are supplied with a coolant, which is supplied via a coolant inlet and discharged via a coolant outlet again. The cooled charge air exits lines of the intake manifold, which are assigned to a respective cylinder.

Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a charge air cooler or an internal combustion engine of the type mentioned, which or which allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the charge air cooler to the engine block of the internal combustion engine.

This object is achieved by a charge air cooler with the features of claim 1, a charge air cooler with the features of claim 6 and by an internal combustion engine with the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the finding that the compressed combustion air is deflected after the axial flow through the charge air cooler according to the prior art by means of suitable lines before it flows into the combustion chamber. In these, the charge air cooler downstream lines undergoes the compressed combustion air no further cooling. In addition, claim to ensure a sufficiently large combustion air mass flow according to voluminously dimensioned lines considerable space.

In the charge air cooler according to the invention for an internal combustion engine, which has a base body with at least one axial passage through which a medium can flow, it is therefore provided that the at least one axial passage communicates with an opening arranged on the outside of the main body, the opening being separated from the medium a passage direction can be traversed, which of an orientation of the at least one axial passage is different.

As a result, after passing through the axial passage, the compressed combustion air can escape from the base body via the opening arranged on the outside of the main body, the passage direction of the opening being oriented towards an inlet of the combustion chamber or an intake chamber connected upstream of the inlet and associated with a plurality of inlets. On the known from the prior art lines for deflecting the compressed combustion air after flowing through the intercooler can be dispensed with. This allows a particularly space-saving arrangement of the intercooler on the engine block of the internal combustion engine. In addition, it is possible to provide a lengthened compared to the prior art cooling section for the compressed combustion air, since the compressed combustion air of the invention can be cooled from their entry into the charge air cooler until they enter the suction chamber or in the inlet of the combustion chamber ,

In the invention, according to a first aspect of the base body in cross-section is formed substantially helically, wherein the at least one axial passage and the outer peripheral side disposed opening formed by the base body and wherein the at least one axial passage is arranged substantially centrally in the base body. Due to the cross-sectionally helical design of the intercooler forming body with the centrally arranged axial passage a particularly long cooling distance for the compressed combustion air is created in a comparatively small space.

Furthermore, it is provided according to the invention that the basic body, which is essentially spiral-shaped in cross-section, has at least two parallel, spirally formed, chambers. One of the parallel chambers flows through the compressed combustion air during operation of the intercooler, while a second chamber may contain a suitable for cooling the combustion air working medium. Alternatively, the second chamber may be formed of the working medium for cooling the combustion air, i. consist of a material with a high thermal conductivity.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the opening can be flowed through substantially perpendicular to the orientation of the at least one axial passage. This allows a particularly direct and rectilinear flow of the inlet to the combustion chamber or the inlet upstream of a plurality of inlets associated intake chamber.

As further advantageous, it has been shown when a cover is provided, through which an axial end of the at least one axial passage is impermeable covered for the medium. This makes it possible that the entire compressed air flowing into the axial passage of the charging air cooler, compressed combustion air can escape through the outer peripheral side disposed opening.

It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the parallel chambers is designed to be permeable by the working medium. This allows a particularly efficient and continuous cooling of the compressed combustion air flowing in the parallel chamber, in particular when the working medium is conducted in countercurrent to the combustion air.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least one of the parallel chambers has at least one stiffening element and / or at least one heat transfer element. Thus, in the chamber provided for the compressed combustion air arranged lamellae, ribbed belts or the like elements, which are aligned parallel to the flow direction of the combustion air, provide for improved heat transfer. The heat transfer elements can simultaneously serve to stiffen and thus increase the pressure resistance of the chamber through which the combustion air flows, or separate stiffening elements can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the base body is formed in cross-section substantially annular, wherein the at least one axial passage is surrounded by a plurality of pipe sections, which form at least one line. According to the invention, the substantially annular cross-section of the main body also includes other outer peripheral side contour lines of the main body than those which may, for example, be oval or elliptical or entirely or partially polygonal.

According to the invention, at least one flow-guiding element is arranged in the interior of the main body, by means of which a radial media flow is tangentially deflectable with respect to the at least one axial passage. As a result, the combustion air flowing through the main body can be deflected in such a way that not only a few air outlet paths, in particular close to the opening, are flowed through, but on the contrary a maximum number of cooling air flows Circuit sections is flowed around. Thus, the cooling effect of the line sections can be used particularly efficiently.

By the line sections surrounding the axial passage, the compressed air flowing through the axial passage compressed air to be cooled as in a tube bundle heat exchanger, wherein the combustion air is allowed to exit through the outer peripheral side arranged on the base opening. The line sections can also be arranged in an annular manner and thus at least partially parallel to the outer circumference of the base body.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the den.wenigstens an axial passage surrounding line sections are arranged substantially parallel to the axial passage. This makes it possible to produce the line sections particularly easily.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the at least one line is designed to be permeable by a working medium. This allows a particularly efficient and continuous cooling of the combustion air flowing in the base body, in particular when the working medium is guided in countercurrent to the combustion air flowing through the axial passage.

It is furthermore advantageous if the line sections are arranged at a distance from each other, wherein the line sections are configured to flow around the outside circumference. As a result, the combustion air flowing into the axial passage can also flow radially through the base body and the combustion air can be cooled according to the principle of a cross-flow heat exchanger. In this case, the line sections surrounding the axial passage enable a particularly efficient cooling of the combustion air, since it covers a comparatively long cooling section during the outer peripheral side flow around the line sections.

Finally, it has proven to be advantageous if at least one further flow guide element is arranged in the at least one axial passage, by means of which an axial media flow is at least partially radially deflectable. For this purpose, the further flow guide element has, for example, helical air guide vanes which deflect the axially entering combustion air radially during the passage through the axial passage, thus ensuring particularly rapid contact with elements of the main body surrounding the passage or in the main body.

In the internal combustion engine according to the invention with at least one cylinder head, and at least two cylinders arranged in the V position, it is provided that an inlet to a combustion chamber of the cylinder is arranged on the two outer sides of the cylinder arranged in the V position, wherein on the side of Inlet upstream of the inlet and inlet of the cylinder head, at least one intercooler according to one of claims 1 to 12 is arranged in a space substantially upwardly limited by the cylinder head. The particularly space-saving by the elimination of separate lines for deflecting the compressed combustion air in comparison to the prior art charge air cooler is accommodated in the space defined by the cylinder head upwards and substantially located above a crankcase space without already claimed by the engine block outside dimensions of the internal combustion engine significantly increase. The internal combustion engine thus enables a particularly space-saving arrangement of the intercooler on the engine block.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines stark schematisierten, im Querschnitt spiralförmigen Ladeluftkühlers;
• 2 eine perspektivische, teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht des im Querschnitt spiralförmigen Ladeluftkühlers gemäß 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische und teilweise aufgeschnittene Ansicht eines Teilbereiches eines stark schematisierten, im Querschnitt ringförmigen Ladeluftkühlers gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 einen Querschnitt eines stark schematisierten, ringförmigen Ladeluftkühlers gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 5 eine stark schematisierte Verbrennungskraftmaschine mit zwei in V-Stellung angeordneten Zylinderbänken, welchen jeweils ein Ladeluftkühler zugeordnet ist; und
• 6 eine schematisierte Seitenansicht auf die Verbrennungskraftmaschine gemäß 5.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, in which the same or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals. Showing:

• 1 a perspective view of a highly schematic, in cross-section spiral intercooler;
• 2 a perspective, partially cutaway view of the cross-sectional spiral intercooler according to 1 ;
• 3 a perspective and partially cutaway view of a portion of a highly schematic, in cross section annular intercooler according to a first embodiment;
• 4 a cross section of a highly schematic, annular intercooler according to a second embodiment;
• 5 a highly schematic internal combustion engine with two arranged in V-position cylinder banks, each associated with a charge air cooler; and
• 6 a schematic side view of the internal combustion engine according to 5 ,

1 shows a charge air cooler 10 in which a basic body 12 is formed in a spiral shape in cross section. The main body 12 has an axial passage through which compressed combustion air can flow 14 on. The passage 14 is centered in the body 12 arranged. The Combustion air flows during operation of the intercooler 10 in the passage 14 along an alignment 16 of the passage 14 one which in 1 is illustrated by a flow arrow.

The hot combustion air flows through the intercooler during operation 10 from the axial passage 14 a plurality of spiral turns of the main body 12 following to an outer peripheral side arranged on the base body 12 opening 18 out. At the opening 18 occurs the cooled combustion air radially from the body 12 out. The opening 18 extends over the entire length of the body 12 , Alternatively, over the length of the main body 12 a plurality of not shown here outlet nozzle or the like outlet elements in the region of the opening 18 be arranged. A passage direction 20 the one out of the opening 18 Exiting combustion air is in 1 illustrated by flow arrows.

The orientation of the opening 18 Regarding the registration 16 of the axial passage 14 allows a radial escape of the compressed, cooled combustion air from the Grundköper 12 and thus a direct onflow of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine without having to provide known from the prior art lines for redirecting the combustion air. Of course, it is conceivable in other applications that a medium to be cooled the intercooler 10 over the opening 18 flows in and over the axial passage 14 from the main body 12 exit.

In 1 are in the opening 18 Heat transfer elements 22 recognizable, which are presently designed as lamellae. The fins also serve to stiffen the body 12 ,

2 shows the intercooler 10 according to 1 in a partially cutaway view. In the partially cutaway view of the 2 it can be seen that the spiral basic body 12 of the intercooler 10 a plurality of alternately arranged, each spirally formed and a radial cross section parallel chambers 24 . 26 having. The chamber 24 is in operation of the intercooler 10 flows through the compressed combustion air. When flowing through the chamber 24 the combustion air is through a in the axially adjacent, parallel chamber 26 existing working fluid cooled before the combustion air through the opening 18 from the main body 12 exit.

The spiral basic body 12 can be made by forming a substantially plate-shaped arrangement, which the parallel chambers 24 . 26 having. The one in the chamber 24 arranged heat transfer elements 22 , Which are presently designed as lamellae, like the chambers 24 . 26 yourself, made of aluminum. Of course, it is conceivable to have a greater or lesser than the example in 2 shown number of parallel chambers 24 . 26 provide, which the main body 12 form.

In an alternative embodiment, during operation of the intercooler 10 Chamber through which the compressed combustion air flows 24 as the axial passage 14 closer, inner chamber 24 be formed while the parallel chamber 26 is formed lying in the radial direction outside. When flowing through the inner chamber 24 of the spiral basic body 12 the combustion air is through the in the outer, parallel chamber 26 existing working fluid cooled before the combustion air through the opening 18 from the main body 12 exit.

As the chamber 26 flowing working fluid is present cooling water provided. The cooling water is in operation of the intercooler 10 over one according to 2 outside circumference of the body 12 arranged feed element 28 the chamber 26 fed. The cooling water is fed countercurrently to the combustion air in order to achieve a particularly efficient cooling of the combustion air. A discharge element 30 takes according to 2 the heated cooling water and leads it to an unspecified thermal regeneration. Of course it is conceivable, the cooling water during operation of the intercooler 10 DC to the combustion air through the body 12 respectively.

3 shows a portion of an annular in cross-section intercooler 10 , Within the body 12 of the intercooler 10 the compressed combustion air flows in the center of the body 12 arranged, axial passage 14 whose orientation 16 in 3 is illustrated by a flow arrow. The axial passage 14 surrounds a plurality of pipe sections 32 through which the working fluid, in this case cooling water, flows. The pipe sections 32 are present as the axial passage 14 formed parallel tubes. Alternatively, however, other shapes and spatial orientations of the line sections 32 are conceivable.

The pipe sections 32 are arranged spaced from each other, so that it is the combustion air is possible, the line sections 32 To flow around the outside circumference. To clarify possible flow paths of the compressed, to be cooled combustion air between the line sections 32 are in 3 essentially radially extending flow arrows 34 shown.

After flowing around the line sections 32 achieved during operation of the intercooler 10 the cooled combustion air an annulus 36 , Which in this case a totality of the line sections 32 surrounds. From the annulus 36 the combustion air flows through the opening 18 the intercooler, through which they the intercooler 10 in the in 3 illustrated passage direction 20 leaves. The passage direction 20 is essentially perpendicular to the orientation 16 of the axial passage 14 , An air guide 38 which is near the opening 18 is arranged, prevents formation of preferred air outlet paths and thus ensures that when cooling the combustion air as large a number of line sections 32 is flowed around.

In 3 is the feed element 28 through which the cooling water the pipe sections 32 is supplied, designed as a hollow disc, which connecting pieces 40 comprising, by means of which the line sections 32 to the feed element 28 can be connected. The cool cooling water becomes the feed element 28 via a connecting cable 41 fed. This in 3 not shown discharge element 30 is analogous to the feed element 28 formed, however, has a central passage opening whose diameter of the axial passage 14 equivalent.

4 shows a further embodiment of the annular intercooler 10, in which the line sections 32 surrounding annulus 36 alternative air guide elements 38 are arranged, which for a directed towards the opening 18 flow of the compressed and after the radial flow around the line sections 32 provide cooled combustion air. Through the air guide elements 38 becomes the axial passage 14 radially flowing combustion air whose flow paths through the substantially radially extending flow arrows 34 in 4 is clarified, tangentially distracted.

It is conceivable in the area of the opening 18 by one or more air guide elements 38 formed flow channels 42 form with a throttle valve, not shown here completely or partially closable to a directed exit of the combustion air from the opening 18 to reach.

At the in 1 to 4 shown embodiments of the intercooler 10, the diameter of the axial passage 14 for example, be around 40 mm. External dimensions of the body 12 can be at about 100 mm or about 120 mm, with an outer contour of the cross section of the body 12 may have a slightly elliptical shape. One between the axial passage 14 and the annulus 36 arranged area within the in 3 and 4 illustrated basic body 12 in which the line sections 32 are arranged, has a radial extent of at least about 35 mm to a sufficient cooling effect of the combustion air by means of in the line sections 32 To allow flowing working medium. The pipe sections 32 For example, they can have diameters from around 4 mm to around 5 mm.

5 is a highly schematic representation of an internal combustion engine 44 with two cylinder banks arranged in V-position 46 , each cylinder bank 46 one intercooler each 10 assigned. The cylinder banks 46 each have three cylinders in the present case 48 on. In the area of the opening 18 of every intercooler 10 is a suction chamber 50 arranged.

The suction chamber 50 , which in the present case an integral part of the intercooler 10 is, ensures the necessary pressure equalization before the cylinder 48 with the compressed, cooled combustion air, an even distribution of the combustion air flow and thus for an effective use of the intercooler 10 , In the suction chamber 50 a pressure-speed sensor (not shown here) can be arranged, by means of which for optimal filling of the cylinder 48 be used to determine parameters.

In the 5 are also two exhaust gas turbochargers 52 each with a common shaft arranged turbine 54 and compressors 56 shown. From the compressor 56 the compressed, heated combustion air is provided to the charge air cooler 10 is supplied. The turbine 54 driving exhaust gas is after passing through the turbine 54 one in each case 5 schematically shown catalyst 58 fed.

In a the intercooler 10 compressed combustion air feeding wiring harness 60 is a butterfly valve 62 arranged by means of which when switching off the charging of a cylinder bank 46 It can be ensured that only the cylinder bank to be topped up 46 is charged with compressed combustion air.

Each of the two intercoolers shown 10 is a throttle 64 upstream, which acts as a load flap. Advantageously, the throttle valves 64 Cooled by the cooling water with which the intercooler 10 is applied to affect the electronics of the throttle 64 by temperatures of the compressed combustion air before the intercooler 10 to avoid, which can be at around 160 ° C to about 180 ° C.

In 6 is the arrangement of the intercooler 10 on an engine block 68 the internal combustion engine 44 out 5 recognizable in a side view. In each case an outer side of the cylinder banks 46 arranged in the V position is an inlet to a combustion chamber of the cylinder 48 assigned. The intercooler 10 is on the side of the inlet in one through the cylinder head 74 upwards limited space 76 arranged. The installation space 76 for the intercooler 10 is located substantially above a crankcase 78 the internal combustion engine 44 in which centrally a crankshaft 80 is arranged.

The opening 18 of the intercooler 10 , which compressed air upstream of the inlet, in 5 shown suction chamber 50 feeds, lies in the in 6 shown arrangement of the intercooler 10 above a rail 82, by means of which the cylinder 48 is supplied with fuel. Through the engine block 68 including the cylinder banks 46 claimed external dimensions of the internal combustion engine 44 are through the intercooler 10 only slightly increased.

In 6 is the intercooler 10 only on the inlet side of one of the two cylinder banks 46 is shown, however, according to 5 each cylinder bank 46 one intercooler each 10 assigned. Alternatively or in addition to the in 6 shown, in cross-section spiral intercooler 10 However, the according to 3 and 4 described, annular intercooler 10 on the internal combustion engine 44 be arranged particularly space-saving.

Claims (13)

Charge air cooler for an internal combustion engine (44) with - a base body (12) having at least one axial through-flow of a medium passage (14), wherein the at least one axial passage (14) having an outer peripheral side of the base body (12) arranged opening (18) communicates, wherein the opening (18) of the medium in a passage direction (20) can be flowed through, which is different from an orientation (16) of the at least one axial passage (14), characterized in that the base body (12) is formed in a substantially spiral shape in cross-section, wherein the at least one axial passage (14) and the outer peripheral side opening (18) through the base body (12) are formed, wherein the at least one axial passage (14) substantially centrally in the base body (12 ), wherein the in cross-section substantially spiral-shaped base body (12) at least two spirally formed, p Arallele chambers (24, 26), and wherein one of the at least two parallel chambers (24) in the operation of the intercooler (10) is flowed through by compressed combustion air. Intercooler after Claim 1 , characterized in that the opening (18) can be flowed through substantially perpendicular to the orientation (16) of the at least one axial passage (14). Intercooler after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that a cover member is provided, through which an axial end of the at least one axial passage (14) is impermeable covered for the medium. Intercooler after one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that at least one of the parallel chambers (24, 26) is formed by a working medium permeable. Intercooler after one of the Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that at least one of the parallel chambers (24, 26) has at least one stiffening element and / or at least one heat transfer element (22). Charge air cooler for an internal combustion engine (44) with - a base body (12) having at least one axial through-flow of a medium passage (14), wherein the at least one axial passage (14) having an outer peripheral side of the base body (12) arranged opening (18) communicates, wherein the opening (18) of the medium in a passage direction (20) can be flowed through, which is different from an orientation (16) of the at least one axial passage (14), wherein the base body (12) in cross section in Is formed substantially annular, wherein the at least one axial passage (14) by a plurality of the axial passage (14) forming line sections (32) is surrounded, which form at least one line, characterized in that in the interior of the main body at least one flow guide ( 38) is arranged, by means of which a tange with respect to the at least one axial passage radial media flow ntial is distractable. Intercooler after Claim 6 , characterized in that the opening (18) in Substantially perpendicular to the orientation (16) of the at least one axial passage (14) can be flowed through. Intercooler after Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that a cover member is provided, through which an axial end of the at least one axial passage (14) is impermeable covered for the medium. Intercooler after one of the Claims 6 to 8th , characterized in that the at least one axial passage (14) surrounding line sections (32) are arranged substantially parallel to the axial passage (14). Intercooler after one of the Claims 6 to 9 , characterized in that the at least one conduit is formed by a working medium permeable. Intercooler after one of the Claims 6 to 10 , characterized in that the line sections (32) are arranged spaced from each other, wherein the line sections (32) are formed on the outer peripheral side flow around. Intercooler after one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that in the at least one axial passage (14) at least one flow-guiding element is arranged, by means of which an axial medium flow is at least partially radially deflectable. Internal combustion engine with - at least one cylinder head (74) and - at least two cylinders (48) arranged in V-position, characterized in that on the two outer sides of the cylinder arranged in V-position (48) each have an inlet to a combustion chamber of the cylinder ( 48), wherein on the side of the inlet and the inlet of the cylinder head (74) upstream, in a substantially by the cylinder head (74) upwardly limited space (76) at least one intercooler (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 is arranged.

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